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The Tester: Jenene Johnson
Johnson, 44, is a deaf mother of four who teaches middle school at Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf (MSAD) in Duluth. She says the rhythm of running is like music to her as she runs both road and trail. She likes shoes with soft cushioning and support for her low arches, and it’s important for her to have high-quality, lightweight shoes that don’t cause blisters. With narrow feet, she also gravitates toward styles that make her feet feel secure in the shoe. Her biggest concern is staying healthy, so she can keep running and racing. She wears a size 9.5.

Julie’s guidelines: My recommendation is for slim-fitting (based upon other styles she likes), cushioned shoes.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 17

8.9 oz., 12mm drop

According to Johnson, this pair felt comfy from the very first steps. With good cushioning and felt comfy from the very first steps. With good cushioning and ankle and arch support, her feet were just as happy after a long run. She tested them on dry, wet and snowy sidewalks and roads, as well as on a gravel trail, and felt confident and secure with the traction. “I’m very happy that I found a shoe that fits me well for training runs and races,” she says.
$120, brooksrunning.com

Adidas UltraBoost X

8.3 oz., 10mm drop

With no tongue and a slipper-like design, Johnson noted that these speedsters are quick to get on and take off. Thanks to a stretchy knit, they offer a hug-your-foot fit that Johnson loved. She said they managed to make her feel both faster and like her feet were getting cozy in her favorite sweater. Johnson calls the cushion “amazing” and says she felt like she could run forever. Her only drawback was the price.
$180, adidas.com

Allison Pattillo

Allison played field hockey and golf while growing up, but always ran “just for the fun of it.” She completed and won her age group in her very first race, a 5K, when she was 26 so that she would at least know how to pin on her number before running her first marathon a month later. Those two races turned into dozens, from mile long sprints to ultras, running to triathlon with some ski and snowshoe racing mixed in as well. After earning a Boston qualifier and completing her first IRONMAN 140.6, this mother of two is now focused on seeing how much she can better her 3:48 PB marathon time, running the World Marathon Majors (Boston and Tokyo are in the books!) and tackling a 50-miler.